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UGC NET PAPER 1 · UNIT 08 · MODULE 1: FOUNDATIONS: ICT, COMPUTERS, HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE · TOPIC 3

Hardware and Software

Hardware, system and application software, how software is licensed, and the differences between hardware, software and firmware that examiners like to test.

  • 4 sub-topics
  • 2 min read
  • Topic 3 of 18

What this topic covers

4 sub-topics, in the order to study them. Tap one to jump to it.

  1. 3.1HardwareHardware means the physical, touchable parts: CPU, memory, input and output devices, storage, motherboard, power supply and peripherals.
  2. 3.2SoftwareSoftware is the set of programs and instructions that make hardware work.
    • System software
    • Operating system
    • Utility programs
    • Language translators
    • Assembler
  3. 3.3Software LicensingCovers Proprietary, Freeware, Shareware, Open source, Free software.
    • Proprietary
    • Freeware
    • Shareware
    • Open source
    • Free software
  4. 3.4Hardware versus Software versus FirmwareHardware Software Firmware Physical Programs Software embedded in hardware Cannot be installed Can be installed and updated Stored in ROM, rarely changed

Revision mode hides the full explanations and keeps each section's key terms, lists and tables and the Memory Capsule. Use it from your second read onward.

3.1Hardware#

In brief

Hardware means the physical, touchable parts: CPU, memory, input and output devices, storage, motherboard, power supply and peripherals.

Hardware means the physical, touchable parts: CPU, memory, input and output devices, storage, motherboard, power supply and peripherals. Classes: input, output, processing (CPU), storage and communication hardware.

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3.2Software#

In brief

Software is the set of programs and instructions that make hardware work.

  • System software
  • Operating system
  • Utility programs
  • Language translators
  • Assembler
  • Compiler
  • Interpreter
  • Device drivers

Software is the set of programs and instructions that make hardware work. It is intangible.

System software manages the hardware and gives a platform for other programs:

  • Operating system (Windows, Linux, macOS, Android).

  • Utility programs: antivirus, disk defragmenter, backup, file compression.

  • Language translators: Assembler (assembly to machine code), Compiler (translates the whole program at once, reports all errors, faster execution, e.g. C and C++), Interpreter (line by line, stops at first error, e.g. Python and JavaScript).

  • Device drivers and firmware (permanent software on ROM chips, e.g. BIOS).

Application software performs user tasks:

  • General purpose: word processor (MS Word), spreadsheet (Excel), presentation (PowerPoint), browser, database (Access).

  • Specific purpose: tally accounting, railway reservation, hospital management.

  • Custom (bespoke) versus packaged software.

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3.3Software Licensing#

In brief

Covers Proprietary, Freeware, Shareware, Open source, Free software.

  • Proprietary
  • Freeware
  • Shareware
  • Open source
  • Free software

  • Proprietary: paid, source code closed (MS Office).

  • Freeware: free but not modifiable (Adobe Reader).

  • Shareware: free trial, then payment.

  • Open source: source code available, modifiable and shareable (Linux, LibreOffice, Moodle).

  • Free software emphasises freedom (GNU/GPL), not price.

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3.4Hardware versus Software versus Firmware#

In brief

Hardware Software Firmware Physical Programs Software embedded in hardware Cannot be installed Can be installed and updated Stored in ROM, rarely changed

Hardware Software Firmware
Physical Programs Software embedded in hardware
Cannot be installed Can be installed and updated Stored in ROM, rarely changed

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Test yourself on Hardware and Software

Practise with free MCQs and answer keys, then return here to fix what you got wrong.

↑ Module 1: Foundations: ICT, Computers, Hardware and Software · All 18 topics in ICT · Unit overview and sample MCQs

Last updated: . Notes are a revision aid; check official UGC sources for any rule or scheme that changes over time. Spotted a mistake? Write to netlawverse@gmail.com.